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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2011 > Tokyo Photo News December 2011
Sports Festival Tokyo 2013 Mascot Dance Unveiled
The Sports Festival Tokyo 2013 Executive Committee held an unveiling ceremony for its mascot Yuriito's song and dance, "Yuriito Dance: Smile and Do Your Best!" The lyrics, music, and choreography were produced by the popular artist Miwako “Peco” Hamada, well known for her choreography for the popular television series theme song, "Maru Maru Mori Mori!" A large audience enjoyed watching Yuriito and the Yuriito Kids sing and dance.
Photo: Tachikawa Station concourse (December 27)
The Seki no Boro-ichi Fair
Some 300 stalls gathered for the Seki no Boro-ichi Fair, held every December 9 and 10 in conjunction with the oeshiki ceremony commemorating Nichiren (the founder of Nichiren Buddhism) at the Musashiseki Honryuji Temple. Designated as one of Nerima ward's intangible folk cultural properties, the Boro-ichi Fair has been held continuously since the mid-18th century. It is said to have originated as a market for the sale of agricultural tools and old fabric scraps (boro). While most stalls now sell food, the few vendors still offering brooms, sickles, old clothing, and traditional tabi socks transport us back to the fair's early days.
Photo: The Seki no Boro-ichi Fair (December 9)
Lightopia 2011
Lightopia 2011, a festival of lights based on the core themes of earth, the environment, and peace, took place in the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho district of Chiyoda ward. The event had two main attractions: Flower Fantasia, in which roadside trees and flower beds glittered with decorative lights; and Ambient Candle Park, an area where "future flowers" and lanterns adorned with pictures carried the message of "hopes and bonds for the future," praying for recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Elementary school children from the disaster-affected areas and prominent members of society, including Nadeshiko Japan, had decorated the lanterns with messages and illustrations.
Photo: "Future flowers" and lanterns adorned with pictures (December 28)
Recovery Support Festival Held in Tokyo
In order to support the recovery and economic revitalization of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government hosted a festival at the Tokyo International Forum from December 19 to 21. Local specialties and crafts from the three prefectures were available for purchase. Additionally, dynamic Morioka Sansa Odori dancing and a Fukushima Hawaiian Show were performed on a special stage, delighting some 24,000 visitors who came out to enjoy the festivities.
Photo: Visitors crowd the festival venue (December 19)
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